[WestCoast]

Couple of thoughts:

Living in this area, it’s understandable why Ashland and Boyd County have this elitism about themselves when it comes to their basketball programs. They have pretty much ruled the region for quite some time.
With that being said, everyone that follows high school basketball in the state of Kentucky should be able to agree that the 16th region is one of the worst regions in the state talent wise. And at the end of the day, no one cares that you went to the sweet 16. Sure it is an accomplishment, but second place is the first loser. Until you can win a state championship, no one really cares how many regional championships or district championships you win, especially in this weak region. 
Since 2018 season for Ashland:
2018 : Lost by 30 in round 2
2019 : COVID
2020 : Lost in semifinals by 16
2021 : Lost by 11 in round 1
2022 : Lost by 16 in round 1
2023 : Lost by 2 in Round 1
2024 : ?

In their past five trips to Rupp (no one went COVID year) They have lost by double digits in every single defeat except last year. They have exited in round one three out of five times. They’ve only made it past round two once.
The point is at some juncture you’re going to have to quit hanging your hat on regional and district championships and actually win a state tournament game. The last time Ashland won a state tournament was in the 1960s. You can load your team up with as much talent in this area that you want, it’s not going to be enough to beat these teams that have kids committed to blue blood programs like Kentucky. 
For me, it feels like all the fun gets sucked out of basketball once the regional tournament ends, because I know that no team from this region is ever standing a chance at winning the whole thing.